Atlanta CPA Shows How to Resolve IRS Back Tax Issues
Monday, April 1st, 2013Atlanta CPA Shows How to Resolve IRS Back Tax Issues
IRS rules are set out to assist those who are attempting to comply and to encourage all of us, either willingly or not, to file and pay our just and fair taxes. Tax laws, though complicated to the lay person, are often confusing. A CPA can help people navigate through the tax maze by making the complicated easier to understand. By seeking and following the advice of a trusted professional we are able to comply with tax law with the least amount of pain and aggravation. By not filing returns, not paying amounts owed when due, and attempting to tackle complex tax issues, we do not have the skill or wisdom to adequately address, many fall prey to our general inability to understand all of the nuances involved. A Good CPA can help address and solve tax issues.
Tax Problems
The best first issue is to review the reasons for the assessment. Many times during this process it is discovered that it is not a payment issue but the original returns filed need to be amended. After the determination of a just and fair tax, one can begin to adequately assess and make arrangements for the monies due. Great care should also be taken during this time to ensure that all payments and credits have been properly applied to the balance owed
Trust Fund Monies
In the event your business has employees or collects sales tax, the monies withheld from payroll and sales taxes collected are technically withheld “in trust.” As such they have legal exposure to both the company for payment, as well as those personally responsible parties who knew about and controlled such payments. A responsible party is generally defined as those who were most/responsible for payments that would well extend to check signers, accounts payable, officers, and financial staff. This assessment is for one personally who collected trust monies which they unduly did not remit to the appropriate taxing/legal authority. As these monies are withheld in trust, they do not belong to the company/business. Both the IRS and individual states take a very dim and stern view of all those who unduly use their money. A 100% penalty may be assessed to the responsible parties making them personally responsible for any collected and unpaid trust fund monies.
If a business is not able to pay its staff payroll taxes/remit collected sales taxes as due, it is a clear warning side that the business model is upside down. Though most times it would indicate that the margins of a business are not adequate to support the business’ present staffing levels and overhead, it could also be an indicator that the business is not properly leveraged/financed.
Installment Agreements
The IRS will work with taxpayers to pay the monies owed over time. This option requires the taxpayer to file a form requesting that a specified amount be paid monthly over time. The IRS then has to accept the plan prior to it becoming effective. Though this is a practical way to address a larger balance over time it does not stop the assessment of penalties and interest which will continue to accrue until all monies are paid in full. Thus, it is most advantageous to consider procuring the funds from other sources as these finance/carrying charges are usually much less than that of the Internal Revenue Service.
Failure to File Penalties
Failure to File Penalties are assessed in addition to normal penalties and interest for those who do not make their payment and filings on a timely basis. Please be reminded that an extension does not allow a taxpayer to pay at a later date, as income taxes are generally due and payable as they are earned. However, a situation is greatly exasperated when a taxpayer does not file their taxes on a timely basis. Thus it is financially most advantageous to file a return even if a taxpayer does not have the monies to pay a return as the monies become due.
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www.HisCPA.com A Christian CPA Firm in Duluth GA Proudly Offering Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns, Offer in Compromise, Tax Advocacy, Tax Mitigation and Tax Compliance, Back Taxes, IRS Representation, IRS Appeals, IRS Collections, IRS Installment Plans & IRS Wage Levies